Engineered yeast could expand biofuels’ reach

By making the microbes more tolerant to toxic byproducts, researchers show they can use a wider range of feedstocks, beyond corn.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
June 25, 2021 ~7 min

Biologists discover a trigger for cell extrusion

Study suggests this process for eliminating unneeded cells may also protect against cancer.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
May 5, 2021 ~7 min


An on-off switch for gene editing

New, reversible CRISPR method can control gene expression while leaving underlying DNA sequence unchanged.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
April 14, 2021 ~9 min

Vaccination by inhalation

Delivering vaccines directly to the lungs can boost immune responses to respiratory infections or lung cancer, study finds.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
March 19, 2021 ~6 min

Friends of MIT Biology celebrate an unusual year

Members of the biology community came together to honor and celebrate the contributions and many achievements of the department and its affiliates.

Saima Sidik | Department of Biology • mit
March 16, 2021 ~6 min

Ultrasound has potential to damage coronaviruses, study finds

Simulations show ultrasound waves at medical imaging frequencies can cause the virus’ shell and spikes to collapse and rupture.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News Office • mit
March 16, 2021 ~7 min

Membrane around tumors may be key to preventing metastasis

Tough as plastic wrap but elastic like a balloon, the lining could be a target for therapies to limit cancer cells from spreading.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News Office • mit
March 8, 2021 ~7 min

Study reveals how egg cells get so big

Oocyte growth relies on physical phenomena that drive smaller cells to dump their contents into a larger cell.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
March 4, 2021 ~7 min


Eyeless roundworms sense color

C. elegans compares the ratio of wavelengths in its environment to avoid dangerous bacteria that secrete colorful toxins.

Raleigh McElvery | Department of Biology • mit
March 4, 2021 ~7 min

Machine-learning model helps determine protein structures

New technique reveals many possible conformations that a protein may take.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Feb. 4, 2021 ~7 min

/

51